With no FA Cup to play in, the club were left with only the District Cup again, but once again made the Final where they put on a comprehensive show.

This season was the first time Newton Heath changed their colours – their home strip became red and white halves, with blue shorts and socks. The away shirt remained white – indeed, the entire away strip was almost exactly the same as the home but for the absence of red.

Manchester and District Challenge Cup

Date	Round	Opponents	H / A	ResultF – A	Scorers	Attendance
17 March 1888	Round 2	Hooley Hill	A	7 – 0	Burke, J. Doughty, R. Doughty (2), 3 unknown
14 April 1888	Semi-final	Hurst	Denton	2 – 0	R. Doughty, J. Doughty	3,000
23 April 1888	Final	Denton	Whalley Range	7 – 1	J. Davies, Burke, J. Doughty (3), R. Doughty (2)	8,000